[filmscanners] RE: Cleaning slides

["" <david_bookbinder@sprynet.com>]

Art,

This sounds like exactly what has happened. These old sleeves feel like
vinyl to me. Perhaps the snowflake-like deposits were more volatile
compounds that migrated out years ago and have since evaporated.

I'll experiment with different film cleaners. God, it's been so long since
I've been handling film that I've forgotten about things like photoflow and
Edwal. PEC, I think, has come on the market since I stepped out of the
darkroom 23 years ago.

Thanks,
David

-----Original Message-----
From: filmscanners_owner@halftone.co.uk
[mailto:filmscanners_owner@halftone.co.uk]On Behalf Of Arthur Entlich
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2002 11:26 PM
To: david_bookbinder@sprynet.com
Subject: [filmscanners] Re: Cleaning slides


If the slide sleeves were PVC or vinyl, there is a good chance the
plasticizers have migrated out.  It is an oily somewhat viscose liquid
which can indeed leave a residue or droplets on the slides, and it
doesn't evaporate very quickly, if ever.  Today's archival sleeves are
made from polyethylene usually which is more stable.

Most everyone will probably suggest a liquid called PEC, which I haven't
ever used.  I usually use a warm water bath with some photoflow or other
liquid detergent and a chamois or soft fingers and gently rub; of course
this involves removing them from their mounts. Sometimes if it is on the
non-emulsion side, I will use pure 99% isopropyl alcohol, with a chamois
or lintless wipe.

Art

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